IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 10, 2013) - Sage, a leading provider of business management software and services for small to midsized businesses worldwide, is kicking off its 16-city, 50-day Sage Listens RV Relay with an event today at Davidson Chocolate Co., a family-owned chocolate shop and Sage 50 and Sage Payment Solutions customer in Davidson, N.C.

From 1:30-3:30 p.m. today, Davidson Chocolate and Sage will host an ice cream and truffle social to celebrate small and midsized businesses in the Davidson community. Ten percent of Davidson Chocolate's proceeds from the social will benefit A Giving Spirit Foundation (www.agivingspirit.blogspot.com), a Davidson, N.C.-based charity that supports the ALS Association and helps families experiencing adversity in the face of unforeseen health conditions. The community is encouraged to attend and partake in the ice cream and truffle social. Davidson Chocolate Company is located at 610 Jetton Street, Ste 150, Davidson, N.C. 28036.

"We believe that every business has a story to tell," said Connie Certusi, executive vice president and general manager, Sage Small Business Solutions. "That's why Sage executives will be going across the country on our Sage Listens RV tour this summer to visit our customers and learn about their ambitions, dreams, and day-to-day challenges. We are thrilled to be kicking off today here in Davidson, supporting a community that's dedicated to small and midsized businesses and the importance of shopping locally, just as Sage is."

Eighty percent of Charlotte jobs are tied to small businesses, accounting for over 43,000 small businesses in Charlotte (2010 Census). With an unemployment rate of 7.7 percent (March 2013), it's important for Charlotteans to continue to give back to the community by purchasing goods from local buyers. Locally owned businesses not only bring more money into the community and create jobs, but they also support local infrastructure and add character to the fabric of our communities.

Earlier in the day, the Sage team will be meeting with another loyal Sage customer, Mooresville-based RE Suspension, Inc., which uses Sage 50 and Sage Payment Solutions.

The Sage Listens RV Relay is a literal and figurative vehicle for Sage executives to personally visit customers across the U.S., to build stronger relationships with those customers, to help them maximize their software investments, and to encourage a commitment to shopping with and supporting local businesses in communities nationwide. With this tour, Sage is also kicking off a nationwide "Shop Local" campaign, through which it is encouraging consumers and businesses to support businesses locally based in their communities.

Boston is the next stop on the Sage Listens RV Relay. Sage will host a lunch, tastings and tour event at Harpoon Brewery on July 15. Follow the Sage Listens RV Relay's progress and customer visits across the country by visiting www.SageLovesOurCustomers.com, by following Twitter.com/SageListens, and by searching for #SageShopLocal.

About The Sage Group plcSage Group plc is a leading global provider of business management software to small and medium sized companies, creating greater freedom for them to succeed. Sage understands how and why each business is unique. We provide products and services that suit varying needs, are a pleasure to use and are secure and efficient. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and entered the FTSE 100 in 1999. Sage has over 6 million customers and more than 13,380 employees in 24 countries covering the UK & Ireland, mainland Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, Asia and Brazil. For further information please visit www.sage.com.

For more information about Sage in North America, please visit the company website at NA.Sage.com. Follow Sage North America on Facebook, Facebook.com/SageNorthAmerica, and Twitter, Twitter.com/SageNAmerica.